Undertaking PhD study gives you the opportunity to engage with an area of drama, theatre, or performance in depth and at an advanced level. East 15 Acting School, with its growing research profile and internationally recognised research quality is an obvious home for such research.
At East 15, research degree students will undertake one of two paths of enquiry. The PhD in Drama and Performance is a conventional PhD whereby candidates are assessed via thesis and viva voce examination. For the PhD Drama and Performance (Practice as Research) course, candidates are assessed via practice as research, a thesis that contextualises and analyses the performance practice in relation to the research topic, and a viva voce examination. For guidance, areas of expected practice include: theatre directing, dramaturgy, actor training, design (scenery, sound, lighting, costume), and performance art.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
East 15 Acting School's MFA Acting with Digital Media is a unique industry-focused, conservatoire-style professional training programme, designed specifically for international students. The course combines a year of rigorous training in acting process, theatre performance, vocal techniques and movement skills, with a second year specialising in acting for Digital Media.
The first year emphasises the integration and mastery of a wide spectrum of core acting skills. This includes acting classes, Laban, Feldenkrais, Somatic and Grotowski-based movement classes, voice production, articulation, SNEA (Standard Neutral English Accent), and singing. Additionally, you'll have the option to take extra Stage Combat classes in the evenings.
The second year focuses on learning and applying the technical craft and skills required for working as an actor in all areas of digital media, including Acting for Camera, Voiceover and Recorded Voice, and Motion Capture. Over the course of the year, you'll take six bespoke modules covering screen acting, recorded voice, motion capture, movement, and industry preparation.
You will receive individual feedback, guidance, and support from your acting and skills tutors throughout the programme.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
East 15 Acting School's MA Acting for Digital Media is a full-time, professional and intensive training program designed specifically for performers who wish to expand their skill base to be able to seek and thrive in the technological advances in the performance industry.
With the advancement of digital technology, new pathways are opening up in performing arts and the course emphasises three keys areas of training: performance capture, voice skills for digital recordings and acting for camera.
The use of Motion / Performance capture in the industry is on the rise and there is a demand for performers with specific skill sets and experience in order to excel in the area. While the standard movement and voice skills provided at UG level form a base for most all performance work, this MA focuses on understanding, working with, and making the most of new technology. This degree recognises that a performer has multiple pathways for employability and professional development, particularly looking at the role of the performer in the gaming industry.
In addition to performing for motion capture, due to advances in technology and the relatively inexpensive option of creating a home voice studio, opportunities in voice acting has also seen an increase – and also require further expertise. Along with further training in Acting for Camera, the course will provide the training needed to succeed and shape the future of performance alongside new developments.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
One of the longest-established MFA Acting programmes in the UK, East 15 Acting School's MFA Acting (International) is an industry-focused, conservatoire-style professional training programme. This two-year full-time course is designed specifically for international students wishing to train in the UK.
Through this programme, you will gain mastery over a wide spectrum of core acting skills. Our training includes acting classes, movement lessons based on Laban, Feldenkrais, Somatic and Grotowski techniques, voice production, articulation, Standard Neutral English Accent (SNEA) and singing. Additionally, you'll have the option to take extra Stage Combat classes in the evenings.
Throughout the course, you will receive individual feedback, guidance and support from your acting tutors as well as skills tutors.
The advanced acting training offered on this course draws on contemporary industry practices and the legacy of Stanislavski, as well as the unique methodologies and ethos of East 15 itself, which grew out of the techniques, beliefs and practice of one of the UK's most historically significant theatre companies of the 20th century: Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
East 15 Acting School's MA Acting (International) is a conservatoire-style, industry-focused professional training programme, designed specifically for international students looking to train in the UK.
Through this intensive programme, you'll master a wide spectrum of core acting skills. You'll receive classes in acting techniques, movement (drawn from Laban, Feldenkrais, Somatic, and Grotowski techniques), voice production, articulation, Standard Neutral English Accent (SNEA), and singing. You'll also have the option to take additional Stage Combat classes in the evenings.
Throughout the course, you'll receive individual feedback, guidance, and support from your acting tutors as well as skills tutors.
The advanced acting training offered on this course draws on contemporary industry practices as well as the legacy of Stanislavski. It also incorporates East 15's unique methodologies and ethos, which shape our approach to actor training. Our ethos grew out of the techniques, beliefs, and practices of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, one of the UK's most historically significant theatre companies of the 20th century.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
East 15 Acting School’s MA Acting is a postgraduate acting course rooted in ensemble practice, designed to develop talented individuals into skilled professional artists through ensemble-based training.
On this programme, you’ll undertake intensive conservatoire training in acting for stage, screen and audio, alongside focused work on text, character development, improvisation, ensemble practice, voice, movement, and singing. The course is delivered through a continuous process of creation and rehearsal that mirrors professional working conditions.
This unique 12-month course treats you as a professional actor-in-training within a working ensemble from day one. The training is centred on regular performance, with weekly and termly presentations leading to creating a major ensemble production at the end of the summer term.
Building on East 15’s distinctive approach to actor training inspired by Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, the MA Acting demands commitment, passion, and intellectual hunger. In addition to rigorous artistic training, the course offers comprehensive professional development, including exposure to agents, casting directors, professional artists, companies, and producers, as well as guidance in self-taping, audition technique and producing one’s own work.
Throughout the course, you’ll receive individual feedback and support from designated tutors, skills specialists, and visiting artists with extensive industry experience.
Whether you hold a degree in a related or different discipline, are looking to change career path, or are an actor seeking to refresh or extend your practice this programme gives you the skills, self-knowledge, and professional preparation required for an acting career.
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
What is the Certificate of HE Acting for Stage and Screen?
East 15’s Cert HE Acting for Stage and Screen is a nine-month, industry-focused course designed to give you a practical foundation in acting for both live and recorded performance.
You can undertake this course at either our Loughton Campus or Colchester Campus. While the Loughton variant starts in October and lasts nine months, the Colchester variant starts in January and condensed nine months of training into six months. Both offer the same training content and are eligible for the same funding opportunities.
Why this course?
This course can be your first year of professional actor training. It can prepare you for further study, either at East 15 or at other acclaimed acting schools in the UK or internationally.
Through focused conservatoire training, you’ll develop your performance skills, deepen your understanding of the acting process and widen your intellectual curiosity. You’ll build your skills in acting as well as voice, movement, singing, improvisation, text work, devising and audition technique. You will learn the differences between acting for stage and screen, how to produce an effective self-tape and how to performance a piece in an in-person audition.
Who should apply?
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
What is the BA (Hons) World Performance?
East 15's BA (Hons) World Performance is a three-year, hands-on degree for curious creatives who want to understand and create culturally-informed theatre.
From 2026-27, this course will be based at our Colchester Campus, offering bespoke East 15 studio spaces and other specialist facilities within a creative university environment set in 200 acres of parkland.
Why this course?
The BA (Hons) World Performance goes beyond traditional approaches to deliver you an intensive, hands-on training that embraces diverse perspectives.
You’ll train, create and perform in an exciting range of global theatre practices. You’ll explore Western and non-Western acting techniques alongside performance traditions from around the world, developing a deeper understanding of storytelling through different cultural perspectives.
In your final year, you'll apply the techniques you've learned in three technically-supported productions.
By the end of the course, you’ll have developed as a performer and theatre-maker with the artistic and technical skills to create innovative and culturally-informed work.
Students of this course gave it an 100% student positivity score for 'teaching on my course' in the National Student Survey 2026.
Who should apply?
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
What is the BA (Hons) Acting and Fight Performance?
East 15’s BA (Hons) Acting and Fight Performance is a three-year, industry-focused degree for actors who want to specialise in performances of combat for theatre, film, television and motion capture.
From 2026-27, this course will be based at our Colchester Campus, offering bespoke East 15 studio spaces and other specialist facilities within a creative university environment set in 200 acres of parkland.
Why this course?
The BA (Hons) Acting and Fight Performance provides with you professional and vocational training in stage combat and performance for stage, screen and multimedia.
You’ll develop a variety of physical performance skills that combine discipline, focus and emotional connection – including martial arts, gymnastics and multiple theatrical weapon systems.
By the end of the course, you’ll be a physically and technically capable actor ready to enter the performing arts industry.
Who should apply?
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
What is the BA (Hons) Acting and Community Engagement?
East 15’s BA (Hons) Acting and Community Engagement is a three-year, industry-focused degree for aspiring performers who want to work across stage, screen, audio and digital media.
From 2026-27, this course will be based at our Colchester Campus, offering bespoke East 15 studio spaces and other specialist facilities within a creative university environment set in 200 acres of parkland.
Why this course?
The BA (Hons) Acting and Community Engagement is a unique programme balancing intensive actor training with inclusive practice and community-focused theatre-making. It's designed for performers and theatre-makers who want to create socially engaged, inclusive theatre for, with and about communities.
You’ll develop as a skilled actor while gaining the facilitation, leadership and creative tools needed to make relevant and impactful work across a wide range of community and professional settings. Alongside rigorous performance training, you’ll learn how to collaborate ethically and creatively with diverse groups, responding to real social, cultural and political contexts.
Across the three years, your training progresses from core performance skills to large-scale participatory projects, professional collaborations, internships and touring work. You'll build critical thinking, production and leadership skills that enable you to initiate, manage and sustain professional theatre projects and companies. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to enter the industry as a versatile performer, facilitator and socially engaged theatre practitioner.
Students of this course gave it an 100% student positivity score for 'teaching on my course' in the National Student Survey 2026.
Who should apply?
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
